La Cusinga Lodge
A family owned eco lodge above Bahia Ballena, with views over Marino Ballena National Park, that protects 242 hectares of forest as a private reserve.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.7/5 · 210 reviews
Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.
Read reviews on Google MapsAbout La Cusinga Lodge
Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.3/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 56.3%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
The sustainability page states the lodge protects 242 hectares of forest as a private reserve acting as a biological corridor, with active reforestation since 1990.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 4/4 · Legal protection such as a reserve or conservation easement, or measured outcomes published with dates and figures (hectares restored, species monitored, nests or hatchlings counted) | 30 / 30 points | The sustainability page states the lodge protects 242 hectares of forest as a private reserve acting as a biological corridor, with active reforestation since 1990. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning | 7.5 / 15 points | Rooms have solar water heating and the about page says the lodge uses solar energy, with no figures on share of power. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Water | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling | 5 / 10 points | The sustainability page lists waste separation, composting and plastic reduction. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as local or organic with no named source | 3.75 / 15 points | The lodge says it works with local producers but names none. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 2/4 · One specific practice, such as a historic building reused, local natural materials, or passive cooling design | 7.5 / 15 points | Most construction timber comes from trees reforested on the lodge's own farm. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The sustainability page lists specific practices such as solar water heating, reforested own wood and a 242 hectare reserve, without a certificate or measured data. “Protection of 242 hectares of forest Private reserve that acts as a biological corridor.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
1.6/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 13.8%
Green flags
- Pool and bathing water, level 3/4.
The history page describes guests bathing in hidden river pools, and the about page mentions natural pools. Any separate treated pool is not described.
“dips into the hidden river pools becomes part of this living story”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 25 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source | 5 / 20 points | The sustainability page claims collaboration with local producers for fresh and ethical ingredients without naming any. “Collaboration with local producers for fresh and ethical ingredients.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 2/4 · Smoke free property with natural ventilation | 5 / 10 points | The room page states a lodge wide smoke free policy, and rooms use ceiling fans and open balconies in a forest reserve. “The lodge has a smoke-free policy.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 3/4 · A natural pool with biological filtration, or bathing in the sea, river or spring instead of a treated pool | 3.75 / 5 points | The history page describes guests bathing in hidden river pools, and the about page mentions natural pools. Any separate treated pool is not described. “dips into the hidden river pools becomes part of this living story” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.1/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 27.5%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 2/4 · A named owner, with the share held locally or by the family stated | 15 / 30 points | The lodge names the Tresemer Guzman family as owners since 1995, with Bella described as grounded in Costa Rican values. “Family-Owned Since 1995 – Rooted in Uvita Since 1972” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 25 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Community benefit | 20% | 2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training | 10 / 20 points | The sustainability page says the lodge organizes education programmes for schools and communities. “We raise awareness among guests and organize programs for schools and communities.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The room page mentions local craftsmanship in the rooms without naming makers. “Local craftsmanship with wood, stone, shell, and sand is unique.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
More accommodations
All accommodations
The summary and the instant check are free on every record, always. Members also get the results table item by item, the certificates as checked on each register, and information that has not yet been independently verified.
Collected research sources
These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.
Keep exploring
Provide the corrected finding and its source. Changes and ownership require independent review.
Report a correction